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The New Style of Negotiation - COLLABORATION (Part 1)

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with 3:16 team REALTY ~ Locally-owned Prosper TX Real Estate Co. #9001154

It's not new and neither is it unheard of - that the COLLABORATIVE style of NEGOTIATION is what every party in a negotiation should strive for. However, the reality is that most people (by default) negotiate in the COMPETITIVE STYLE even without realizing it.

This 2-part NEGOTIATION STYLE is a result of my short experience in one of my contracts after I put into action what I learned from my Certified Negotiation Class.
If you want to read about my experience and overview of the class, please read:

Some of the COMPETITIVE STYLE NEGOTIATION include:

  • Good guy, bad guy
  • Nibble
  • Intimidation (includes silence, walk away, escalation to higher authority)
  • Short deadlines
  • Bluffing (Walk away, all I can afford)

Competitive negotiators uses alot of manipulating, aggressive or threathening language, abuse power as well as hard bargaining tactics. I'm sure you have experienced some of these in your real estate negotiations.

What I experienced in my past, although an agent says s/he wants a WIN-WIN negotiation for all parties, it doesn't mean that's what is achieved.

Instead a COLLABORATIVE STYLE of NEGOTIATION includes:

  • Asking alot of questions - not to take advantage of the other party but instead using them to formulate the best outcome for all parties involved.
  • Build trust - include open sharing of information (I understand about CONFIDENTIALITY in the COE. I have some changes views about them yet not giving away my client's position. A fine line to trade there)
  • Willingness to be influenced
  • Expectations sharing and meeting

Check out my next blog on how to apply a COLLABORATIVE STYLE of NEGOTIATION for a successful real estate transaction!

Check it out here - Putting Your Negotiation on Paper for a Much Clearer, Collaborative Effort

 

Digital Digital
Alachua, FL
full service

Hi Loreena,
Thanks for sharing.
Reading your negotiation blog is equivalent to taking a refresher negotiation course.
Thanks again for sharing and I look forward to reading part # 2.
Have a wonderful weekend!

Nov 04, 2011 04:44 PM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

Collaboration is a very good thing if you can get all parties to the same table it can make for a wonderfully smoooooth transaction !

Nov 04, 2011 11:02 PM
Cheryl Ritchie
RE/MAX Leading Edge www.GoldenResults.com - Huntingtown, MD
Southern Maryland 301-980-7566

Loreena, who sponsors the designation or class? I have not seen it promoted yet.

Nov 04, 2011 11:57 PM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Not for me.  Advocacy is what we're engaged to provide.  Collaboration is, in my mind, a pejorative representing collution. 

Buyer and seller clients hire us to represent their interests. 

Nov 05, 2011 12:10 AM
Charlie Dresen
The Group, Inc - Steamboat Springs, CO
Steamboat Springs, CO e-Pro

I believe knowing and understanding the differences in how others' negotiate is very valuable. Being able to distinguish the collaborative from the combative across the table is key to knowing how to best represent your client. While collaborative is the ideal situation, it'll get you walked over if you're coming from the collaborative angle and you're up against a savvy combative type. So identifying the situation correctly is the first step in knowing how to best prepare for and then engage in the negotiation.

Nov 05, 2011 12:26 AM
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Loreena although collaborative negotiation may be the goal, in a buyers or sellers market it doesn't always works out that way. Lenn also makes a good point. If you are truly representing your client, is collaborative negotiation the way to go?

Nov 05, 2011 01:16 AM
The Weiland Group of Keller Williams Realty
The Weiland Group of Keller Williams Realty - Minneapolis, MN

Great points by Don, Lenn and Charlie.  Since most agents are very relational, the collaborative approach is very attractive because it is likely compatible with the agent's personality style.  However, the buyer or seller motivation should be the driving force in the transaction.  Win-win is always the goal in my opinion but market and individual circumstances can alter this.

Nov 05, 2011 01:21 AM
Loreena and Michael Yeo
3:16 team REALTY ~ Locally-owned Prosper TX Real Estate Co. - Prosper, TX
Real Estate Agents

Charlie, Lenn, Don and Mike W - I understand where you are coming from. I would agree with you had I not experienced it myself. I actually "combat" a competitive agent style of negotiation with a collaborative style. I would say, I shocked myself!

Nov 05, 2011 01:35 AM
Loreena and Michael Yeo
3:16 team REALTY ~ Locally-owned Prosper TX Real Estate Co. - Prosper, TX
Real Estate Agents

Cheryl - This class is offered by the Real Estate Negotiation Institute. It is currently not a NAR Designation course. But after learning what I went through, I think every salesperson/ business owner - real estate or not should take this course. It certainly gave me a new perspective.

Nov 05, 2011 01:38 AM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

Interesting topic. I will go back and read your referenced posts about the class. I do believe the biggest obstacle in negotiation is EGO.

Nov 05, 2011 01:54 AM
Ginny Gorman
RI Real Estate Services ~ 401-529-7849~ RI Waterfront Real Estate - North Kingstown, RI
Homes for Sale in Southern RI and beyond

Always work for the client even when the other agent wants to 'collude' to get a deal done...if it is not in their best interests we walk...I've had many an agent scream at me at home inspections that I'm going to make the deal crash because i had my buyer choose a tough home inspector...one needs to be careful here Loreena on how you do it.

Nov 05, 2011 02:26 AM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

Loreena, while I am not in favor of using scare tactics while negotiating, we have to be careful to always make sure our client's best interest in represented. I'm anxious to read part 2 to see how you are able to do that.

Nov 05, 2011 04:29 AM
Bill Gillhespy
16 Sunview Blvd - Fort Myers Beach, FL
Fort Myers Beach Realtor, Fort Myers Beach Agent - Homes & Condos

Morning Loreena,  Creating the atmosphere ( and space ) for a win-win isn't easy but certainly can produce a much better outcome - and that outcome has a much better chance of staying together until close.

Nov 05, 2011 04:33 AM
J. Philip Faranda
Howard Hanna Rand Realty - Yorktown Heights, NY
Associate Broker / Office Manager

I see Lenn'spoint but anything you learn that makes you more effective is good for your clients. You don't have to adopt the course's orthodoxy but you can use some of the tools when needed. 

Nov 05, 2011 04:34 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

Unfortunately, each deal is different with different players/personalities involved.  While I am on the buyer's side I can say that some of their requests are quite demanding, but I've been hired to represent them.  In that representation I'm obligated to do what they request.  Sometimes talking to buyers about the other side makes me "not" on their side anymore (in their minds).  Each deal is different and each come with vastly different mindsets and motivations. 

Nov 05, 2011 07:30 AM
Evelyn Kennedy
Alain Pinel Realtors - Alameda, CA
Alameda, Real Estate, Alameda, CA

Loreena:

I need to take that class.  One's style of negotiation in any given situation may be dependent on the participants.  I tend to be logical in my approach.  Others may be emotional and unwilling to see my point.  I need a better way to negotiate with that type of individual.

Nov 05, 2011 09:22 AM
Steve Warrene
Your Town Realty - Lower Burrell, PA
Pittsburgh Realtor North and East Pgh.

Loreena, I am taking that class Dec 1 and 2 and relly looking forward to going.  I hears alot of good things about the class.

Nov 05, 2011 12:25 PM
Yvonne Van Camp REALTOR
To Buy and Sell Real Estate, see me at Southwest Missouri Realty - Springfield, MO
"Home"work, I have the Answers!

My job is to keep every card close to my chest, and look and see what I can see.    I will never play havoc with any clients negotiation, I provide, they decide!

Nov 05, 2011 03:42 PM
Kathy Sheehan
Bay Equity, LLC 770-634-4021 - Atlanta, GA
Senior Loan Officer

Great information!

Nov 06, 2011 01:41 AM
Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-617-6375
Atlanta Homes ODAT Realty - Love our Great City - Love our Clients! Buckhead - Midtown - Westside - Atlanta, GA
Concierge Service for Our Atlanta Sellers & Buyers

Dear Loreena -

Collaborative is the way to go! Once we know what our client needs and we establish what the other person's client needs - we can get to an answer - the successful closing.

Thanks for sharing this information.

Have a happy day -
Lynn

Nov 06, 2011 11:57 AM